The Best Road Trip Snacks for Kids

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Road trips make wonderful family vacations. They allow you to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. And they foster family bonding. But, successful road trips, especially with kids, must include snacks! Not all snacks are created equal however. Some are better for road trips than others. Here is a list of the best road trip snacks for kids.

As a bonus, I’m also including a list of the worst road trip snacks to help you make smarter choices on what snacks to pack for your next road trip!

Best Road Trip Snacks for Kids

The best road trip snacks are loved by kids, easy to pack in the car, and won’t make a huge mess. Some of these are healthy, while others are just yummy. But moms will love them all because they are all great for eating in the car.

1. Cheerios

Cheerios are the best kid snack ever invented! They can be enjoyed by all ages from babies to adults. Plus, they are easy to transport and can be eaten on the go.

While you may find a few stray ones between the seats weeks later, they don’t spoil and smell. And they also won’t stain your seats!

2. Pretzels

Another great snack option for eating in the car is pretzels. They can easily be thrown into your bag until you hear the grumbles from the backseat. Pretzels are the perfect choice for a salty or crunchy bite.

You can either pack small portions in ziploc bags or thrown in a family size bag to share.

3. Goldfish

Another beloved kid snack is goldfish. They are perfect because they don’t make a mess and can be eaten anywhere. Another benefit is that they come in a variety of flavors so you can please everyone in the family!

4. Annie’s Bunnies

Annie’s Bunnies are just goldfish in bunny form. They share the goldfish’s advantages, making them another solid choice for this list of the best road trip snacks for kids.

5. Grapes

For a healthy and refreshing choice, look no further than grapes. These are ideal for summer road trips.

To keep them colder longer, freeze them before leaving for your trip. This will keep them nice and chilly for hours.

6. Licorice

Part of the fun of road trips is eating things you wouldn’t normally eat at home. Licorice is one of those things for my family. We seem to only eat it while on road trips.

Because it doesn’t get sticky, it’s a great choice for a sweet treat during the drive.

7. Apple Slices

Another healthy option for eating on the go is apple slices. Either buy some prepackaged ones or slice your own.

If you prefer the DIY variety, remember to squeeze a little lemon juice on them after slicing to prevent them from browning before your kids have a chance to eat them.

8. String Cheese

If you are going to have a small cooler in your car, then string cheese is another top choice to pack. They take up little space and and are a favorite of kids.

9. Gummy Bears

Another fun pick to satisfy your sweet tooth in the car is gummy bears. Their compact size make them easy to pack. Plus, they won’t leave you with sticky hands to clean afterwards.

10. Ritz Crackers

Ritz crackers is another snack that is great for all ages. Even babies can gum on these buttery crackers. It is so easy to grab a sleeve of them and go. And, other than some crumbs, they are completely mess-free!

11. Cookies

For another sweet option, pack your kids’ favorite cookies for the road trip. As long as you steer clear of the chocolate-covered ones, you can rest easy knowing that you won’t find a huge mess in your backseat when you arrive at your destination.

12. Raisins

Want something sweet, yet healthy? Raisins are the answer. They also pack huge flavor punch in a small package, which means they won’t take up precious space in the car.

13. Graham Crackers

Graham crackers are a good pick if your kids love crunchy snacks with a slightly sweet note. They are great to munch on while watching screens in the backseat of the car. And even your youngest children can enjoy them.

14. Popcorn

Who doesn’t love popcorn!?!? This fun snack is great for road trips because of its no mess factor. Pop some before you leave and throw it into a ziploc bag for the whole family to enjoy during the drive.

For an extra twist, try sprinkling some unexpected seasoning on it, such as garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or cayenne pepper.

15. Animal Crackers

Kids of all ages seem to love animal crackers, which make them another great road trip snack for kids. Whether you choose the iced ones or the plain ones, add this to your snack list for the car and your kids will be happy!

16. Cheezits

Cheezits make this list of the best road trip snacks for kids because of their portability. You can grab the small individual bags for on the go. They are a nice choice if you are looking for a bite with some crunch to it.

17. Dried Fruit

For a healthy option that won’t make a mess, pick up some dried fruit for your trip. Choose from banana chips, dried cherries, dried mangoes, or any other fruit. They give you a hint of sweet without any stickiness.

18. Fruit Snacks

Fruit snacks are fun to eat and are packaged to be the perfect on the go snack. Throw a few bags in the car and you will be set when your little ones want something sweet to eat.

19. Trail Mix

Trail mix is another good pick for older kids. You can either make your own or pick some up at the store. Snacking on it will keep the grumbles away until you can get to a restaurant for a proper meal.

20. Pringles

Pringles are my favorite chips for road trips because their packaging takes up little space and will protect the chips from getting smashed in the car. And they come in a huge variety of flavors, so there is something for everyone in the family.

21. Cereal Bars/Granola Bars

Cereal bars and granola bars are another great snack that packs a punch in a small package. These are very easy to pack and will go a long way in fending off the hunger of your family while on the road.

Bonus: Worst Road Trip Snacks for Kids

The below snacks make the list for the worst road trip snacks for kids simply because they are not ideal for eating in the car.

They all have the potential to make a huge mess in your backseat. And no parent wants to spend time scrubbing car seats, especially while on vacation.

1. Cheezy Chips

Don’t pick any variety of “cheezy” chips for your trip because the orange residue left on little fingers has the potential to ruin your car seats!

2. Chocolate

It’s a bad idea to pack chocolate for the road trip simply because you can’t guarantee it won’t melt and get all over everything.

3. Yogurt

Yogurt is another snack choice that is bad for the car because of the potential for causing a huge mess. If it gets spilled, it will take you forever to get the smell out of your car! Plus, you have to keep it cold to prevent it from spoiling.

4. Juicy Fruit

Try to stay away from any variety of fresh fruit that is really juicy. That juice can not only squirt all over your car and clothes, but it becomes sticky on your kids’ fingers.

5. Powdered Donuts

Like cheezy chips, powdered donuts are a terrible snack to eat in the car because of the powdery residue left behind on everything! You can never seem to get that powdered sugar off your clothes and seats, no matter how hard you try!

6. Ice Cream

Like chocolate, ice cream is not a good choice for the car because of its potential for melting before it is eaten. It’s fine if you’re going from the ice cream shop to home, but not something you want to deal with if you will be in the car for several hours.

Conclusion

This list of the best (and worst) road trip snacks for kids will make your next road trip easier by preventing messes while keeping your kids full and happy.

For more tips, see our ultimate guide to family road trips, how to pack for road trips like a pro, how to handle kids and car sickness, how to save time on road trips, the best road trip snacks for toddlers, and essential items for a successful road trip with kids. And check out our comprehensive guide to happy travel with kids.

If you will be flying, see my best and worst airplane snacks for kids.

Happy travels!